OVER 60 fact-checking organisations have launched the Global Fact‑Check Chatbot (GFC), an artificial intelligence-powered tool aimed at delivering fast, verified fact-checks in multiple languages.
The launch was announced on Friday, June 27, 2025, via a press release issued at the ongoing Global Fact 12 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Developed by members of the International Fact‑Checking Network (IFCN), the European Fact‑Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), and several regional alliances, the GFC is designed to improve access to accurate information during disinformation surges, such as elections, health emergencies, and regional conflicts.
According to the organisers, the chatbot builds on the legacy of the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance, a collaborative initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic that earned the global fact-checking community a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2021.
“The GFC aims to consolidate thousands of verified fact-checks produced in over 58 countries into a shared, tiered-access database,” the statement read in part.
It noted that the tool draws on a growing database of fact-checks and journalistic articles contributed by member organisations worldwide. It uses both open-source and proprietary large language models (LLMs) to understand user queries in context, factoring in geography, time, and intent thereby improving the accuracy and relevance of responses.
Currently supporting 10 languages, the AI chatbot is designed for rapid scaling, with daily updates and exclusive governance by professional fact-checkers to ensure editorial oversight and credibility.
“Unlike generalist AI tools, GFC is controlled solely by fact‑checking experts, ensuring editorial oversight and accountability, with daily updates from 58 countries (all continents), GFC stands ready for deployment during elections, health emergencies, regional conflicts, wars, and other critical moments,” the statement added.
The organisers also urged donors, public institutions, and investors to support the expansion of the chatbot. They said such support would help deploy the tool in more languages, extend its global reach, and enhance fact-checking efforts in at-risk communities globally.
